I’m finally liberated from one hole. This is finally finished \o/

Really a bit worried about Concubine Li, Ling Xiao mulled and waited for the Emperor to return so he could talk to him a little and let him go visit her.

刚升起这个念头，凌萧就见皇帝就大步跨进了宫殿，他连忙微笑着迎了上去。

When the thought had just rose, Ling Xiao saw the Emperor walk in the palace with large strides, he hurriedly smiled and stood up to meet him.

“皇上，我正想着您呢，您就回来了。”

“Your Majesty, I was just thinking about you and you returned.”

这话如同拨开了迷雾的旭阳，洒落在皇帝的心头，清扫除他心底的阴霾，他微微缓了缓神色，轻瞥着凌萧问：“很想朕？”

Those words were like the dawn that split open the dense fog and spilled into the Emperor’s heart. The gloomy haze in his heart cleared up and he slightly relaxed his expression, softly looking at Ling Xiao and asked, “Do you miss Us a lot?”

凌萧点头笑：“当然想了。”

Ling Xiao nodded with a smile, “Of course I miss you.”

灿烂的笑脸，让皇帝心头一跳，心中那块最柔软的地方，放佛被轻轻的拨弄了一下，带来一阵舒身痒意，胸腔中愤怒也因此一扫而空，。

The splendid smile caused the Emperor’s heart to jump once, and the softest part of his heart felt like it was being gently fiddle with and made him feel a bit itchy. The anger in his chest was thus swept clean.

罢了。

Forget it.

皇帝轻轻叹了一声，眼中尽是无奈，他揽着凌萧走到了桌边道：“饿了罢，传晚膳吧。”

The Emperor faintly sighed, his eyes full of helplessness as he held Ling Xiao and walked to the table, “You’re probably hungry, let’s eat.”

As if he had remembered something interesting, Ling Xiao gave a faint laugh.

皇帝见状，冷下了脸色，然而，回忆中的凌萧却并没有注意到皇帝的神色。

The Emperor’s face turned cold at the sight, but Ling Xiao who was immersed in his memories did not notice this change.

他继续说道：“那丽妃为了等凌萧起床，在外面晒了几个时辰，要是其他人肯定以为我在给她示威，要恨死凌萧了。”

He continued, “That Concubine Li had shined out in the sun for a couple hours waiting for Ling Xiao to get up. If it were other people going through what she had, they would hate Ling Xiao to death.”

凌萧说着，无奈的摇了摇头：“可那丽妃傻乎乎的，面上竟然一点愤怒都没有，皇上，您宫里竟然有这么蠢得妃子，真是蠢得可爱。”

While he spoke, he helplessly shook his head, “But that Concubine Li is so muddle-headed, she actually wasn’t angry at all. Your Majesty, to think you have such a stupid concubine in your palace, she’s really stupid to the point of being cute.”

皇帝暗暗握紧了手掌，满腔的怒火压抑在心头，就等着一个宣泄口。

The Emperor tightly gripped his fist, rage filling his heart, waiting for his next words.

他冷哼了一声，状似无意般说道：“看来，你很喜欢这丽妃啊。”

He coldly snorted, saying in an accusing manner, “It looks like, you quite like this Concubine Li.”

凌萧点头：“这宫里头，能保持赤子之心的人太少了，丽妃虽然蠢笨，但她心性纯良，凌萧确实很欣赏。”

Ling Xiao nodded, “In this palace, the number of people that can stay so innocent and pure are far too few. Although Concubine Li is stupid, her nature is very pure, Ling Xiao quite appreciate it.”

凌萧说着，脑中闪过丽妃离开时的苍白的面色，他收敛了笑意，面上带了丝担忧的道：“可是，她走时中了暑，也不知现在如何了，太医有没有去看。”

While he spoke, Concubine Li’s pale face flashed through his mind and his smile disappeared, worry replacing it, “But she was having heatstroke. I don’t know how she is now, if the physician checked on her yet.”

已经提及此，凌萧便顺势请命道：“虽然现在天色已晚，可凌萧着实担心丽妃，皇上，恳请您同意我现在去探望她。”

Since he already mentioned him, Ling Xiao took the chance to ask, “Although it’s kind of late now, Ling Xiao is truly worried about Concubine Li. Your Majesty, I would like permission to visit her.”

“放肆！”这话就宛如一道火苗，彻底点燃了皇帝心中的怒火。

“Impudent!” Those words were like flames that thoroughly ignited the rage in the Emperor’s heart.

皇帝一声怒喝，手掌发劲，竟是将面前的桌子震了个粉碎。

With a sound of rage, his palm exerted some power and actually caused the table in front of them to shake and shatter.

他目光冰冷，眼眶周围带着怒红，恶狠狠的盯着凌萧，宛如贪狼，仿佛下一秒便会上前，将凌萧咬得粉碎碎骨。

His gaze was ice cold while red surrounded his eyes, staring fiercely at Ling Xiao like a wolf, as if he wanted to go forward and bite Ling Xiao into pieces.

凌萧被震的一骇，多日来，皇帝对自己的恩宠，让他快要忘记了皇帝发怒的样子。

Ling Xiao was startled by the sudden action, with how doting the Emperor had been to him lately, he had almost forgotten the Emperor’s angry appearance.

此时，皇帝这般毫无预警的生气，不仅将凌萧吓得不知反应，心中更是觉得莫名其妙，不可思议。

At this moment, for the Emperor to suddenly become angry, not only did it scare Ling Xiao to the point he couldn’t react, what he felt even more was confusion and disbelief.

他不能理解皇帝，身子却诚服的跪在了皇帝的面前。

He couldn’t understand the Emperor, but his body readily knelt in front of him.

“皇上息怒，凌萧知错。”

“Your Majesty, please calm down. Ling Xiao knows his mistake.”

“皇上息怒！”因动静而进门的众人，由暗香暗咏带头跪在地上被龙威震慑得发颤，跟着凌萧一起高呼。

“Your Majesty, please calm down!” Because of the sounds, everyone entered with An Xiang and An Yong taking the lead and knelt down before the dragon power’s intimidating, shivering and shouting along with Ling Xiao.

“都出去，出去！滚！”皇帝面向众人发威，暗香担忧的看着凌萧，最终还是被暗咏拉着恭敬的退了出去。

“All of you get out, out! Scram!” The Emperor sent his pressure might at everyone. An Xiang worriedly looked at Ling Xiao but still pulled along An Yong and respectfully left.

凌萧咽了咽口水，他从来没有见过皇帝发这么大的火，这么不顾形象。

Ling Xiao swallowed, he had never seen the Emperor so angry before, completely disregarding his image.

可他却连皇帝在气什么都不知道。

But he didn’t even know what was the Emperor angry about.

他心中有着对未知事情的不安，面上不由带了丝小心翼翼。

Unease floated in his heart for this unknown matter, but cautiousness shown on his face.

“凌萧，告诉朕，你错在哪里？”皇帝捏着凌萧的下巴，让凌萧直视着自己。

“Ling Xiao, tell Us, where are you wrong at?” The Emperor held his chin, forcing him to look at him.

凌萧本在心底猜测着万种理由，此时看见皇帝面上压抑不住的愤怒，却觉得他心中的理由都不足以让皇帝这般生气。

Ling Xiao made numerous guesses in his heart, but seeing the unrestrainable anger on the Emperor’s face, he felt that the guesses in his heart were all not capable of making his this angry.

他忐忑不安的抿紧了唇，半响，他颤声回道：“凌萧……不知。”

He apprehensively pursed his lips, thought for a bit then trembling replied, “Ling Xiao… doesn’t know.”

“呵……你不知？”皇帝一声冷笑，手下用力，凌萧被捏的吃痛，不由皱紧了眉。

“Heh…you don’t know?” The Emperor sneered and held his chin harder, causing Ling Xiao to wrinkle his brows in pain.

“你不知，那朕让你明白个通透！”

“You don’t know, then let Us let you know clearly!”

凌萧讶然，正想琢磨皇帝是什么意思。

Ling Xiao was surprised and was thinking about what the Emperor meant.

便感觉唇上一阵湿热，皇帝的吻毫无预警的落了下来。

Then he felt something warm on his lips, the Emperor kissed him without any warning.

“……唔……”凌萧吃惊。

“…Mh…” Ling Xiao made a noise of shock.

皇帝的吻不似以往的缠绵，带着冰冷的怒意席卷着凌萧。

The Emperor’s kiss was not as touching as before, this time it carried his ice-cold anger that engulfed Ling Xiao.

凌萧被迫张嘴，跟着皇帝的软舌起舞。

Ling Xiao was forced to open his mouth, his tongue dancing with the Emperor’s.

心底明明不愿，身体却习惯了皇帝的触碰，舒爽的一阵酥软，凌萧咬牙抗拒，小声的抗议。

His mind was unwilling, but his body was already accustomed to the Emperor’s touch. The pleasure made him weak but he resisted, protesting softly.

“皇上……皇……您不……啊……”

“Your Majesty…Your…don’t…ahh…”

抗议的话被皇帝逗弄得不成语调，那反抗的手不知何时变成了迎合，紧紧的搂着皇帝，不愿松开。

Any protest were broken away by the Emperor’s stimulations, his resisting hands turned to pandering ones at some point, tightly hugging the Emperor without any wish to release him.

皇帝自凌萧的追吻挣脱，看着目光迷离的凌萧，冷笑道：“就你这样的身子，要如何满足丽妃？”

The Emperor broke off from kissing Ling Xiao, and coldly smiled while look at his blurred eyes, “With this kind of body, how are you able to satisfy Concubine Li?”

皇帝的话，着实奇怪，凌萧保持着最后一点清醒，仰头望着皇帝。

The Emperor’s words were truly strange. Keeping a final bit of his consciousness, he raised his head to look at him.

迷离的眼中，水雾蒙蒙，皇帝在上方留下一个朦胧的影子，虚幻的看不清楚，伸手想要去触摸，却怕它会消散。

Within his blurred eyes mistying the scene before him, the Emperor became a hazy figure. Like an illusion he couldn’t see clearly, like something that would dissipate if he reached out to try and touch him.

凌萧目光中的珍惜，真真切切的映在皇帝的眼中，皇帝心口一颤，心底升起一股暖意，但想起凌萧口中的丽妃，他倏时有冷下了面色，心跟着坠入了谷底。

The adoration in Ling Xiao’s eyes sincerely reflected in the Emperor’s eyes. His heart shook and a trace of warmth went in, but when he thought of Concubine Li being spoken by Ling Xiao, his face cooled down and his heart dropped to the floor.

大起大落的情绪，让皇帝不满的皱眉，他望着下方的始作俑者，却见他目光涣散，双颊绯红，眉头轻蹙，一副舒爽到失神的模样。

His rapidly fluctuating mood made the Emperor frown in discontent, he looked down at the man who was the cause of it all. His dazed eyes, crimson cheeks and slightly wrinkled brows showed his pleasure.

身子无意识的在自己的肌肤上磨蹭，衣物被他蹭的散落在地，只余部分挂在身上，糜靡而魅惑。

His body unconsciously rubbed against his skin, causing his clothes to scatter on around him, only a bit was left that made him all the more enticing.

皇帝沉下了眸色，身下肿胀的发痛，皇帝难忍的轻哼了一声，热汗自额间冒出。

His gaze darken, the hardness below pained him but he endured it with a slight groan, sweat started to form on his forehead.

“皇……皇……皇上……”许是磨蹭得不到纾解，身下的人开始不满的轻唤，主动嘟着嘴凑到了皇帝的嘴边，索取着皇帝的温存。

“Your…Your…Your Majesty…” His rubbing couldn’t get him the release he desired and so he started to call out unhappily, pouting as he went closer to his mouth, asking for release.

香唇就在面前，只要微微张嘴，便能将唇含在嘴里，细细的品尝。

Those sweet lips right in front of him, with just a bit of movement from him and those lips would be with his to taste.

也能得到这人独一无二的媚态，那是只有自己能看到的景色。

He would also be able to obtain this man unique and unmatched fawning, a scenery only he was allowed to see.

宛如受到蛊惑一般，皇帝轻轻的张开了口，凌萧的舌就顺势的窜了进来，毫无章法的乱吻，却让皇帝的欲望又加深了一层。

Like he was bewitched, the Emperor opened his mouth a gap which Ling Xiao’s tongue took the chance to go in. His kissing was without any skill or plans, but it deepened the Emperor’s desire.

皇帝泄愤一般，张口咬上了凌萧一口。

Like he was venting, the Emperor bit down.

“啊。”

“Ah.”

这一口，又狠又快，凌萧吃痛的大叫了一声，意识瞬间回归。

That bite was fierce and fast, crying out in pain, his consciousness returned in a flash.

“你倒是自己先享受起来了。”皇帝捏着凌萧的下巴，固执的询问：“回答朕，丽妃可让你这么满足了？”

“You have certainly enjoy the pleasure yourself first.” The Emperor held his chin, stubbornly asking, “Answer Us, can Concubine Li satisfy you so much?”

皇帝英俊的眉目下，染了一丝微红，额间的汗水，一滴滴透亮而性感的顺着轮廓下滑，滑出凌萧的视线，滑进凌萧的心口。

On the Emperor’s handsome face was some red, sweat dotted his forehead that dripped and shone with sex appeal as it slide down. It slid out of Ling Xiao’s line of sight and fell onto his chest.

凌萧的心跟着躁动，身子不由一阵轻颤，全身泛起一阵挠人的痒意，他难耐的微动，目光祈求的望向皇帝。

Ling Xiao’s heart stir restlessly with it, his body trembled and an indescribable itch filled his body, he couldn’t endure it and started to move a bit, his gaze appealing to the Emperor.

皇帝不为所动，凌萧扭动着身子，不满的磨蹭。磨蹭间竟蹭到了皇帝身下的硬物。

The Emperor remained unmoved while Ling Xiao kept moving around, unhappily rubbing himself. Then he rubbed against the Emperor’s hard object.

皇帝身子一僵，凌萧却像是抓到了纾解的办法一般，一下一下蹭着身下之物。

The Emperor’s body went rigid, but Ling Xiao acted like he had grabbed something that could relieve him and rubbed against it with his lower body.

“凌萧！”皇帝咬牙，手下用力，另一只手揽在了凌萧的腰间，制止了他的乱动。

“Ling Xiao!” The Emperor clenched his teeth, then he used some strength in his hand, the other hand held Ling Xiao’s waist, preventing him from moving about.

凌萧吃痛一声，恍惚回神，身子的不满让他欲哭无泪，但皇帝显然没有为他纾解的意思。

Ling Xiao returned to his senses from the pain again, his body’s displeasure made him wish to cry, but he had no tears. The Emperor clearly did not have any desire to relieve him.

Ling Xiao was stunned, blinking his eyes as he stared at him. His face paled somewhat from the pain, his lower body had already went soft yet he still stubbornly wanted an answer.

凌萧心底隐隐浮出了一个答案，一个让皇帝这般生气的答案，他望着皇帝，目光中带了一丝戏谑的开口：“皇上，您……该不会是吃醋了吧？”

An answer slowly emerged from the bottom of Ling Xiao’s heart, an answer that made the other angry. Looking at him, he asked with a hint of teasing in his eyes, “Your Majesty, you…aren’t eating vinegar are you?”

皇帝一愣，皱眉剐了凌萧一眼，身下一动，凌萧惨叫了一声，颤道：“疼啊……皇上……”

The Emperor paused, gave Ling Xiao a punishing frown and moved his body. Ling Xiao cried out and trembled, “It hurts…Your Majesty…”

皇帝抿唇，捏着凌萧的下巴，冷道：“你的回答呢。”

The Emperor pursed his lips and held his chin, coldly asking, “Your reply.”

The Emperor’s pressure in this kind of scene had long lost its threatening power. With how stubborn he was being, it was like a child that when met with a question, would chase after an adult to give them an answer. The same pureness of a child.

凌萧突然觉得这样的皇帝有点可爱，他忍不住笑出了声。

Ling Xiao suddenly felt that this kind of Emperor was a bit cute and he involuntarily started to laugh out loud.

“你好大的胆子！”皇帝不悦的眯眼。

“You have great nerves!” the Emperor narrowed his eyes in displeasure.

凌萧忍笑的清了清嗓子：“皇上恕罪，是皇上吃醋的模样太可爱了。”

Ling Xiao endured his laughter and cleared his throat, “Please forgive me Your Majesty. It was just that Your Majesty’s jealous appearance was too cute.”

“可爱？”皇帝危险的凑近了凌萧。

“Cute?” The Emperor dangerously leaned closer to him.

凌萧惊得一颤，忙推搡着皇帝，急忙岔道：“皇上，我和丽妃什么都没有，真的。”

Alarmed, he quickly shoved him and hastily added, “Your Majesty, I have nothing with Concubine Li, really.”

“同喝一碗冰镇酸梅汤还算没什么吗？”皇帝面色阴晴不定。

“Drinking from the same iced pickled plum soup is nothing?” The Emperor’s face was dark and unclear.

凌萧讶然：“皇上知道？”

Ling Xiao was astounded, “Your Majesty knows?”

“是暗咏或者暗香吧。”凌萧微加思索，便已明白。

“It was An Yong or An Xiang.” Ling Xiao thought for a bit and understood.

暗香暗咏跟着自己，是皇帝的意思，她们既是保护自己也是看着自己，防止自己作妖。

An Xiang and An Yong following him was the Emperor’s idea. Them protecting and watching after him was to prevent him from doing things he shouldn’t do.

皇帝这样的人，许是做不到百分百信任他人的。

A man like the Emperor, it was impossible for him to completely trust another.

凌萧抿紧了唇，叹息道：“皇上何必，凌萧早已是你的人了。”

Ling Xiao tightly pursed his lips, and sighed, “There is no need to be like this Your Majesty, Ling Xiao has long been yours.”

“你还记得是朕的人吶。”皇帝讽刺：“既然知道，那你可知男女有别？”

“So you still remember you are Ours.” The Emperor mocked, “Since you know, then you should clearly know there are barriers between women and men?”

凌萧皱眉：“丽妃她也是您的妃子。”

Ling Xiao frowned, “Concubine Li is also your concubine.”

皇帝接话：“那你更应该远离她。”

The Emperor took over it, “Then you should stay away from her even more.”

“……我不过交了一个普通朋友。”凌萧反驳：“皇上您妃子成千上万，凌萧都不曾这般，如今凌萧不过交了一个朋友！”

“…I just made a normal friend.” Ling Xiao retorted, “Your Majesty has thousands of concubines, Ling Xiao doesn’t have such a thing. Nowadays, Ling Xiao just made a friend!”

明知是皇权的世界，不该强求公平，但皇帝如今触及，凌萧还是没能忍住出声抱怨。

He knew perfectly well that this is a world where imperial power ruled, he should not ask for fairness. But since the Emperor had touched upon the subject first, Ling Xiao couldn’t hold back his complaint.

The Emperor coldly said and looked at him with a complicated gaze. Among his gaze, Ling Xiao could see disappointment, this kind of gaze painfully stabbed him.

凌萧被刺激到，忍痛坐起，不知哪里来的胆子，他恨声道：“皇上您不觉得您自私了么！”

Ling Xiao was provoked and endured the pain to sit up. With courage he didn’t know where he got from, he hatefully said, “Don’t you think you are being selfish Your Majesty!”

皇帝闻言，危险的眯眼刺向凌萧。

The other dangerously narrowed his eyes at Ling Xiao.

凌萧咬牙道：“您要求凌萧男女有别，为你守身如玉，但您呢，后宫妃子千万，可有为凌萧守身如玉？”

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, “You ask for Ling Xiao to stay away from women and keep pure for you, but how about you? There are countless concubines in the harem, can you agree to keep pure for Ling Xiao?”

“凌萧不过交了一个朋友，您便生气，那哪天凌萧见了您去了其他妃子的宫殿，凌萧能生气么！”

“Ling Xiao only made a friend and you get angry, if some day Ling Xiao sees you go to some other concubine’s palace, then can Ling Xiao get angry?!”

“你生得气还少？”皇帝意有所指的冷嗤。

“Have you not already before?” The Emperor somewhat coldly scoffed.

凌萧一震，想起了冉妃和红叶，自知理亏，却不服气的道：“皇上您的妃子千千万万，凌萧生气您舍之其一其二即可，可凌萧的朋友就这一个！”

Ling Xiao shook, thought back to Concubine Ran and Hong Ye and knew that he was in the wrong but refused to accept it, “Your Majesty has countless concubines, Ling Xiao is angry at you for having plenty to choose from as you please, but Ling Xiao only has one friend!”

说着，凌萧狠了狠心，接着道：“皇上要凌萧远离这个朋友可以，那您也把您后宫那些莺莺燕燕都散了啊！”

Ling Xiao harden his heart and continued, “Your Majesty wants Ling Xiao to distance himself from this friend, fine, but you also have to disperse all your women in the harem!”

The Emperor’s face was full surprise, as if he couldn’t believe Ling Xiao would raise such a request in front of him. Ling Xiao sneered when he saw that, “Your Majesty can’t even do that, so why ask Ling Xiao to distance himself from Concubine Li? You have even said before to treat Ling Xiao as if he were you, but from the looks of it, it was all just a joke!”

皇帝气极反笑，笑出的声音，阴森的令凌萧颤抖，凌萧努力控制着自己的身体诚服，倔强的望着皇帝。

The Emperor started to laugh from anger, the sound of the laughter was so dark it caused Ling Xiao to tremble. Ling Xiao worked hard to control his body and stubbornly looked at him.

凌萧知道，这番话在这个世界是在挑战皇帝的权威，是大逆不道，他不该说的，若是从前他定不会开口，但是……

Ling Xiao knew that his words were a challenge to the Emperor’s authority in this world, it is rebellious, something he should not say, if it was the previous him, he would not say it, but…

许是这段时间皇帝的宠爱让自己并没有想象中那么害怕皇帝，又或许是自己确实想为自己争求一个这个世界不曾有的一生一世一双人。

With the time with of love with the Emperor, he was not as afraid of him as before. Or perhaps it was because he wanted to become a pair to someone who he could spend his lifetime with.

他还是大着胆子说了出口。

So he still gathered his courage and said it.

皇帝会如何呢？凌萧抱着一丝希冀的望着皇帝。

How would the Emperor act? Ling Xiao carried a trace of hope and looked at him.

The Emperor laughed heartily from anger, with his anger nowhere to vent, it finally leaked out causing the entire surrounding to shake.

“这么说来，你不仅不听朕的话，不会远离丽妃，还想用免死金牌限制朕！甚至妄想朕为你散尽后宫！呵。”

“So, not only will you not listen to Us, you will not distance yourself from Concubine Li. And you will even use the death exemption plate to restrict us! So much so that you even have the delusion of having Us disperse the harem for you! Heh.”

好大的胆子，果然宠得太多了么！

Such great nerves, he really had loved him too much!

一声冷笑，皇帝戾气暴出，手下一个收紧，凌萧便感觉一阵窒息，面上憋得通红。

With a cold smile, the Emperor’s viciousness burst out and his hand tighten. Ling Xiao felt the sudden suffocation, his face turning red from the chokehold.

凌萧使劲挣扎，挣脱不了皇帝的束缚，皇帝眯眼，杀气遽然蹦出，凌萧睁着混沌的眸子，只看见皇帝的面色阴沉的可怕。

Ling Xiao struggled with all his might, but was unable to throw off his hold. The Emperor narrowed his eyes, his murderous spirit springing out all of a sudden. Ling Xiao open his muddled eyes and could only see his face fearfully dark.

手下的脖颈如此纤细，只要手掌轻轻用力，这将他气得不能自己的生命就将逝去，皇帝从没有如此容忍过谁，凌萧是第一个，也将是最后一个。

The neck in his hands was so slim, just a bit of strength would be able to easily take away the life of this person that had made him so angry for the first time. He had never put up with someone like this before, Ling Xiao was the first, and would be the last.

皇帝收紧了手，一瞬间，他真想让这凌萧就这般消失。

The Emperor tighten his grip, in that moment, he really wanted Ling XIao to disappear like this.

眼看着面前的凌萧面色慢慢变得暗淡，鼻息间的气息轻不可闻，皇帝恍然间，见到了那突而撞进自己怀里的小太监。

Soon he watched Ling Xiao’s face slowly dimming, his breath almost couldn’t be felt anymore and the Emperor suddenly saw a little eunuch that had once upon a time bumped into him before.

当初的小太监惊慌着神色，宛如跌入狼群的羔羊，无助的四处乱窜，面对自己时，却清亮着眸子，只糯糯的唤道：“皇上。”

The little eunuch back then with his panicked expression was like a sheep that dropped in a group of wolves, helplessly fleeing all over. But when he faced him, he would look at him with bright eyes and softly call out, “Your Majesty.”

“皇……皇上……”凌萧艰难的唤，倔强的睁着眼睛看向帝王。

“Your…Your Majesty…” Ling Xiao called out with difficulty, stubbornly opening his eyes to look at the monarch.

皇帝被唤回了神，对望凌萧的眸，却惊了一颤，凌萧清亮的眸子与记忆中的那一刻的小太监重合，他心中一跳，手下便松了力道。

The Emperor returned his senses by the call and looked into his eyes but trembled. Ling Xiao and the little eunuch from his memories before overlapped causing his heart to jump, he relaxed his grip.

Ling Xiao’s words were a statement, as if he was accusing the Emperor of his heartlessness. The Emperor slowly placed his hands behind him, tremblingly as he held them tightly, then threw his sleeve and walked out.

“看住皇君，不准他踏出房门一步！”

“Watch the King Consort, don’t allow him even a step out!”

“是。”

“Yes.”

皇帝的下令，久久盘旋在耳，凌萧捂着脖颈，瘫坐在床。

The Emperor’s order hovered in his ears for a long time. Ling Xiao held his neck, paralyzed as he sat on the bed.

“都说帝王无情，原先我还不信，只觉得皇帝会是个例外，如今……”

“They all say monarchs are heartless, I originally did not believe it and thought His Majesty was an exception, now it looks like…”

凌萧摸着自己的脖颈，自语般说着，不争气的红了眼眶。

Ling Xiao rubbed his neck as he spoke to himself, his eyes redden in disappointment.

第二天，皇君失宠的消息，传遍了皇宫。

The next day, the news that the King Consort lost favor spread throughout the imperial palace.

都说，那一晚，皇上衣衫不整的从皇君宫殿出来，是皇君伺候不当，惹怒了皇帝，皇帝之后便软禁了皇君。

They all say that that night when the Emperor left the King Consort’s palace with his clothes disorderly, it was because he did not serve him well and angered him. Then he was placed on house arrest.

原先羡慕凌萧的，如今都在感慨，这凌萧得宠快，失宠的速度也不是一般人所能及。

The ones who were originally jealous of Ling Xiao now all sighed with sorrow. This Ling Xiao obtained favor fast, but the speed in which he lost favor wasn’t something an average person could do.

不过，也有人相传，皇君能将皇帝惹怒而不被皇帝处死，也是奇迹。

However, someone else also passed on that for the King Consort to anger the Emperor but not be executed was also a miracle.

所以，这皇君在皇帝心里还是特殊的，今后指不定就能翻身。

As such, this King Consort is still special in the Emperor’s heart. It was not impossible for him to have a turn over in the future.

这些传言都传不进凌萧的耳中，他被关在了房里，哪里都不能去。

These rumors all could not go into Ling Xiao’s ear, he had been locked into his room, he couldn’t go anywhere.

身下那不可启齿的部位伤着了，脖子上的勒痕也触目惊心。

The place below was injured, and the injury on his neck was also a ghastly sight.

暗香找了大夫来治疗，凌萧整日和药作陪，这软禁的日子，就宛如是在疗伤。

An Xiang found the doctor to come treat them, so all Ling Xiao had to accompany him were medicine. This house arrest was just like a recovery period.

凌萧的三餐还是如同往常一般，皇帝虽然软禁了凌萧，却并没有克扣凌萧的吃穿。

Ling Xiao’s three meals were the same as before, although the Emperor placed him under house arrest, he did not dock his food and clothing.

但凌萧的心境已然不同往日了。

But Ling Xiao’s mood were already different from before.

“公子，你好歹吃点吧。”暗香端着粥，担忧的望着坐在床上的凌萧。

“Young Master, you should at least eat a bit.” An Xiang held a bowl of congee, worriedly looking at Ling Xiao sitting on the bed.

凌萧微微摇了摇头：“我没有胃口，撤了吧。”

Ling Xiao slightly shook his head, “I don’t have an appetite, take it away.”

“可是……”暗香皱眉想要再说些什么，凌萧已经合衣躺回了床上，背对着暗香，一副没有商量的余地。

“But…” An Xiang frowned and wanted to say something else, but Ling Xiao already lied back down, his back facing her, showing there was no leeway.

“Young Master too, he’s usually very clever, as long as he admitted his wrong and no longer interacted with Concubine Li, then this matter would be over. I don’t know what Young Master is angry about, he just won’t sever ties with her.” An Xiang anxiously said.

暗咏闻言，突而想到什么，惊愕道：“公……公子……不会真的对丽妃……”

An Yong suddenly thought of something from An Xiang’s words and said in shock, “Young…Young Master…wouldn’t really had with Concubine Li…”

“Master has always been devoted to Young Master, so it is impossible for Young Master.” An Xiang firmly said so, she didn’t know if she was speaking it for herself or for An Yong.

说完，还慌张的望了望周围，确定侍卫离她们的距离够远，听不到才松了口气，但也心有余悸一般拉着暗咏远离了凌萧的房子。

After she finished speaking and flusteredly searched their surroundings, making sure there wasn’t any guards in earshot, they finally relaxed a breath. But with some lingering fears, An Xiang dragged An Yong farther from Ling Xiao’s place.

Ling Xiao got up on guard, Lan Wie quickly went over and covered Ling Xiao’s mouth.

“是我，兰蔚。”

“It’s me, Lan Wei.”

凌萧微微一愣，望向紧张兮兮的观察着门口的兰蔚，嗤道：“你怎么还是这么爱闯皇宫？”

Ling Xiao stared blankly at the nervously observing Lan Wei at the entrance and laughed, “Why do you still love to break into the palace?”

见凌萧还有心情调侃自己，兰蔚心中松了松，不满的道：“也不知我是为了谁。”

Seeing that Ling Xiao was still in the mood to tease him, Lan Wei’s heart relaxed a bit and he unhappily replied, “And look at who am I doing it for.”

说完，他回身望向凌萧，却见凌萧脖颈处暗黑的痕迹，他心下一惊，手不受控制的抚摸了上去。

He then looked toward Ling Xiao and was shocked by the dark mark on his neck, his hand uncontrollably went to gently stroke it.

“这……”

“This…”

凌萧微微躲了躲，不适应一般，躲开了兰蔚的触碰道：“如你所见，失宠了。”

Ling Xiao avoided a bit, answering a bit indisposed as he stayed away from Lan Wei’s touch, “As you can see, I lost favor.”

他说的云淡风轻，甚至面上还带了丝丝的微笑，宛如这是一件无关要紧的事一般，但兰蔚就是从凌萧的眼中看见了落寞与难过。

He spoke so of it so lightly, even a faint smile was on his face, like it was nothing important that was related to him. But Lan Wei could see the loneliness and sadness from his eyes.

他心中一揪，对凌萧的怜惜一层层的从心底往外冒。

His heart felt constricted as tenderness came rushing out from the bottom of his heart.

“你平时不是很聪明的吗！这事情你怎么就犯浑了呢！”兰蔚心疼的怒骂。

“Aren’t you usually really smart! How did you make this situation this muddled up!” Lan Wei cursed in rage from distress.

“不就是一句知错和一个承诺吗！你凌萧不是最擅长这些了吗！怎么这次就要和皇上硬着干呢！”

“Isn’t it just admitting your mistake and an agreement! Aren’t you good at these?! So why did you have to go head on against the Emperor this time!”

兰蔚咬牙，说着，竟是鼻头一酸，眼眶率先红了起来。

Lan Wei clenched his teeth, as he spoke, his nose felt soured and the rims of his eyes actually started to redden.

凌萧一愣，兰蔚明明成长了许多，在战场带兵千万，又是人人敬仰的将军，此时，却如初见的毒嘴少爷，对自己破口大骂。

Ling Xiao didn’t know how to react, Lan Wei has obviously matured a lot. He lead countless troops at the battlefield and was a general revered by all, but right now, he was like the poisonous-mouth young master from before, cursing everything around him.

眼眶红着，眼中的泪水仿佛轻轻一抖，便会溢出眼眶，凌萧本来很难过，见他这样，却突然觉得好笑。

With the rims of his eyes red and tears slightly forming in his eyes like they were about to drop at any moment, it made the formerly sad Ling Xiao feel the sight was a bit funny.

“失宠的是我，被掐得也是我，你哭什么？”

“The one who lost favor was me, the one who was strangled was also me, why are you crying?”

Ling Xiao laughed thoughtlessly. Lan Wei raked him with a sharp glance and wiped his tears, snapping, “I did not cry! Who would shed tears for a wolf like you, serves you right! You could have avoided it! If you die it’s all your own fault!”

兰蔚恶狠狠的说着，与他语言不同的却是，从怀里掏出了创伤药，专注的为凌萧上药，动作轻柔的仿佛对待一生的珍宝。

Although Lan Wei spoke fiercely, his action was very different as he took out medicine for injuries from his bosom and concentrated on putting it on Ling Xiao, his gentle actions was as if he was treating a lifetime treasure.

凌萧本想说，太医刚刚给他上过了药，见兰蔚如此专心，硬生生将话给咽了回去。

Ling Xiao originally wanted to tell him that the physician had just helped put medicine on him, but seeing how concentrated the other was, he stiffly swallowed itb ack.

“说吧，你这次又是想干嘛？”上好药，兰蔚明显已经冷静了下来，望着凌萧的目光中充满了疑惑。

“So tell me, what are you trying to do this time?” After he finished placing the medicine on him, Lan Wei clearly became much calmer and looked at him full of confusion.

“呵……”凌萧一声轻笑，岔道：“我哪是想干嘛啊？就是如同你知道的，失宠了呗。”

“Heh…” Ling Xiao laughed, and said in a way to change the subject, “What do you mean what am I trying to do? It’s like you see, I lost favor.”

“屁！”兰蔚不顾形象的爆了一声粗口，随即像意识到自己说了什么一般，面色涨得通红。

“Bullsh*t!” Lan Wei bursted out in foul language in spite of his image, then immediately became aware of what he said and his face turned thoroughly red.

“……” Lan Wei glared at him and angrily retorted, “Don’t try to change the subject, with my understanding of you, you are not someone who would sit and be resigned to your fate. The Emperor’s feelings toward you is also not something that a Concubine Li would make him want to kill you.”

“你究竟干了什么？”兰蔚好奇。

“Just what did you do?” Lan Wei asked curiously.

凌萧撅嘴，似是不愿意说，在兰蔚的目光逼问下，他才怏怏的开口：“我就跟皇上说，要我远离丽妃他就得散尽后宫。”

Ling Xiao pouted, unwilling to talk about it. But under the other’s intensely questioning sight, he still discontentedly explained, “I said to him if he wants for me to distance myself from Concubine, he needs to disperse the harem.”

“……咳咳……”兰蔚被口水呛得咳了两声，不可思议的望着凌萧。

“…Cough cough…” Lan Wei was choked by his own saliva as he coughed twice and looked at him incredulously.

见凌萧面上一脸的认真，没有丝毫的玩笑之意，兰蔚也敛了心神。

Observing the seriousness on Ling Xiao’s face that help no trace of joking around, Lan Wei also held back from retorting.

许久，他才憋出了一句。

He finally choked out a line after a long period of silence.

“凌萧，皇上是君王。”

“Ling Xiao, the Emperor is the monarch.”

“……”凌萧沉默，嗤笑道：“所以，你也觉得，我就活该为他守身如玉，而他就可以在后宫中三妻四妾？”

“……” Ling Xiao fell silent then sneered, “So you also think it I deserve it, that I should keep myself pure for him while he can have a couple wives and concubines in the harem?”

兰蔚叹息：“自古帝王都如此，你……”

Lan Wei sighed, “Monarchs have always been like this since ancient times, you…”

“好了！”凌萧不满的打断了兰蔚：“我懒得和你说，没事你就回去吧。”

“Alright!” Ling Xiao resentfully interrupted him, “I don’t feel like talking to you about it, if there’s nothing else you should go back.”

凌萧知道这个世界，大家的思想都是如此，可他既然开了口，总是希望赌一赌的。

Ling Xiao knew that the people in this world all thinks that way, but since he brought it out, he wanted to gamble.

如今，就看皇帝与他谁先妥协。

Nowadays, he will wait and see who will compromise first between them.

Lan Wei faintly sighed and shook his head. He stood up, “This time you really are too brazen, the Emperor’s harem is not just his wives and concubines, it is also an important existence that weighs the court’s power. You requested for the harem to be completely dispersed, not only is it rebellious, it is even more of a challenge toward imperial power. No wonder the Emperor wanted to kill you, it’s a miracle that you aren’t dead.”

“你不该是如此莽撞的人，是不是因为动了情，所以想要独占……”

“You weren’t such a brazen and rebellious person, is it because you now have feelings that you want to monopolize…”

兰蔚艰难的说着，只觉口中酸涩的紧。

It took much effort for Lan Wei to get that out, he could only feel rather sour.

“……”凌萧闻言，没有承认亦没有否认，只是不爽道：“你怎么还不走！”

“……” Ling Xiao did not admit or deny it, he just unhappily said, “Why are you still not leaving!”

兰蔚复杂的看了凌萧一眼，心中杂乱万分。

Lan Wei gave him a complicated look, his heart in a complete mess.

既然想要一生一世一双人，为何当初选择帝王，若是傅禹君，若是……自己都能给许你这样一个未来，可你选择的偏偏是牧国皇帝。

Since you want to stay with a single person for the rest of your life as a pair, then why did you choose the monarch? If it were Fu Yujun, or…himself, they would both be able to give you the future you wanted. Yet you just had to choose the Emperor of Mu Country.

兰蔚心中想把这些话说给凌萧听，最终还是默默的闭紧了嘴，只喃喃的道：“你……好自为之。”

Lan Wei wanted to say those words from his heart, but still silently kept his mouth close. He only muttered, “Then…do your best.”

说完，他纵身一跃，消失在了房间。

After he finished speaking, he leaped and disappeared from the room.

凌萧躺回了床，连兰蔚都觉得他过分了么。

Ling Xiao lied back down on the bed, so even Lan Wei felt he was too harsh?

“来人！”

“Servants!”

凌萧扬声呼道，远处的暗香听见，连忙进屋跪在了凌萧的面前。

Ling Xiao raised his voice and called out. From afar, An Xiang heard his call and promptly entered the room to kneel in front of him.

“公子请吩咐。”

“Please say your orders Young Master.”

“你去跟皇上说，我想出去走走，太闷了。”

“Go tell His Majesty, I want to walk out for a bit, it’s too boring.”

“……”暗香沉默，面上不确定的道：“公子，您还在软禁中呢……”

“……” An Xiang fell silent, her face uncertain, “Young Master, you are still under house arrest…”

“没事的，去吧。”凌萧打发道。

“It’s fine, just go.” Ling Xiao dismissively told her.

皇帝既然没有杀他，就不会吝啬给自己这点自由。

Since the Emperor didn’t kill him, then he wouldn’t be stingy about giving him that bit of freedom.

何况，冷战了一天，皇帝也该冷静下来了。

Besides, after the day of cold war, he should be calmer by now.

凌萧越来越觉得自己会作死了，明明以前还是怕皇帝怕的要命的，如今却能如此淡定的和皇帝耗着。

Ling Xiao felt more and more that he was courting death, he was obviously fearful to death of the Emperor, but now, he could so calmly dilly-dally around with the Emperor.

摸了摸脖子上的勒痕，凌萧仍旧心有余悸，不过这种心有余悸，跟自己心中的执念跟那想将皇帝独占的念想比起来，微不足道。

He rubbed the healing injury on his neck, still feeling a bit of fear from before. But that is just some lingering fears, it was negligible compared to his desire to monopolize the Emperor.

“……”

“……”

暗香最终还是去了，最后皇帝允许凌萧在御花园里走走，其他地方均不许去。

An Xiang finally still went. The Emperor allowed him to walk around in the imperial garden in the end, but he was not allowed anywhere else.

凌萧轻叹了口气，也算接受了安排，任由暗香安永跟着，去了御花园。

Ling Xiao lightly sighed and accepted the arrangement. He allowed An Xiang and An Yong to follow him and went to the imperial garden.

暗香回来，表情有些奇怪，似是在皇帝那里经历了什么，凌萧心中疑惑，却碍于脸面，不想开口询问。

When An Xiang returned, her expression was a bit strange. It appears that something had happened over at the Emperor’s side which was puzzling, but Ling Xiao did not ask.

但越不清楚的，越想知道，凌萧的心中就像有人瘙挠一般，急切的想知道关于皇帝此时此刻的表现。

But the more unknown something was, the more people wanted to know. It felt like something was scratching his heart, he impatiently wanted to know what the Emperor was doing right now.

终于，他没忍住一把拉住暗香问道：“暗香，你过去之时，皇上……可有说其他？”

Finally, he couldn’t endure it anymore and pulled An Xiang, “An Xiang, when you went over, did His Majesty…say anything else?”

暗香明显一顿，继而轻轻摇了摇头行礼回道：“公子，主子什么都没有说。”

An Xiang clearly froze then shook her head and saluted, “Young Master, Master did not say anything.”

“真没有？”凌萧皱眉。

“He really didn’t?” Ling Xiao frowned.

暗香点头：“皇上在批阅奏折，并没有其他表情，也没有昨日那般发怒了，听闻了公子您要奴婢带的话，也并无不悦。”

An Xiang nodded, “The Emperor’s reading through his memorials, he didn’t have any other expression but he’s not angry like yesterday. When he heard the message you wanted this servant to pass on, he also did not look unhappy.

“……” Ling Xiao did not reply, making An Xiang frown. An Yong also urged him from the side, “Young Master, what are you waiting for? If you don’t know, what would you do if Master’s heart runs away?”

凌萧闻言，嗤了一声，皇帝这么多年都没有跑心，他可一点都不担心，皇帝会突然喜欢上他人。

Ling Xiao scoffed at the last part, the Emperor’s heart had never ran to anyone in all of these years, he was not worried at all that the Emperor would suddenly like someone else.

“公子，您别不当回事。”暗咏紧锁眉头：“主子昨晚在贤妃那过夜的呢。”

“Young Master, don’t take it lightly.” An Yong tightly knitted her brows, “Master had stayed over at Concubine Xian’s palace last night.”

“！”凌萧一震，牟利的看向暗咏，暗咏被暗香拉了一下，遽然闭上了嘴。

“!” Ling Xiao shook and looked to her. An Xiang pulled An Yong and she closed her mouth.

然而，该听到的还是被凌萧听到了。

However, he had already heard it.

“皇上昨晚去在贤妃处过夜的？”凌萧说着，心头就像被人用凉水浇了一通，冷了个透彻。

“His Majesty spent the night over at Concubine Xian’s place?” When he said it, his heart felt as if someone had pour cold water over it, completely chilling it.

“呵……”他轻笑了一声，面上因为臆想贤妃与皇帝在一起的画面而扭曲，暗咏心下一惊，忙跪地道：“公子息怒，奴婢胡说的。”

“Heh…” He faintly laughed, but his face twisted when he thought of the scene of Concubine Xian and the Emperor together. An Yong quickly knelt in alarm, “Young Master, please calm down. This servant was just speaking nonsense.”

“息怒？”凌萧讽笑：“不，我一点都不怒！”

“Calm down?” Ling Xiao mockingly smiled, “No, I’m not angry at all!”

“我开心极了！”凌萧咬牙切齿的说着，转身往外走去。

“I’m very happy!” Ling Xiao gnashed his teeth and turned around to walk out.

暗香心惊，忙拦住凌萧的去路道：“公子，您不能离开御花园。”

An Xiang’s heart was fearful as she quickly stopped him, “Young Master, you cannot leave the imperial garden.”

“让开！”凌萧愠怒。

“Get out of my way!” Ling Xiao’s anger spiked.

暗香摇头，暗咏追上跪在凌萧的身前咬唇道：“公子，你冷静一点。”

An Xiang shook her head and An Yong rushed up to kneel in front of him, biting her lip as she said, “Young Master, please calm down.”

“我叫你们闪开！”凌萧怒喝。

“I said to guys to get out of my way!” Ling Xiao shouted out in anger.

暗香闻言一颤，跟着暗咏跪在了凌萧的身前，却分毫不让。

An Xiang trembled and followed with An Yong to kneel in front of him, but also did not allow him past.

Mu Xiuning laid down his hand and smiled, “It’s not that either, but where do you want to go? You have been placed under house arrest, going out of the imperial garden is to go against the imperial decree, even if the Emperor protects you again, playing around with resisting the imperial decree, have you thought about what might happen after?”

“多谢皇叔提醒，可凌萧今日就非要试试这公开抗旨了！”

“Many thanks for Imperial Uncle’s reminder, but Ling Xiao today insists on trying to go against the imperial degree!”

昔日的理智都不在，凌萧此时只想跑到皇帝的面前，质问他昨夜是否真的留在了贤妃宫中过夜了，是不是才从他身上离去，就投入了其他女人的怀抱了。

His former rationality were all gone, Ling Xiao could only think about running to the Emperor and ask if he really did stayed at Concubine Xian’s place last night. If he really went into another woman’s embrace right after he left him.

这些问题堵在凌萧的心口，让凌萧心头像是压了一块大石一般，闷重难受。

These questions stifled him in his chest, making him feel as if his heart was being pressed by a large block of stone, heavy and painful.

牧修甯见状，轻叹了口气：“你想去御书房见皇上？”

Mu Xiuning softly sighed at the sight, “You want to go to the imperial study to see His Majesty?”

凌萧默然不语，他行走的方向只通向御书房，自己的目的地并不难猜。

Ling Xiao stayed silent, the direction he was walking to only led to the imperial study, so his destination wasn’t hard to guess.

“可皇上并不在御书房，而是在贤妃的宫中啊。”牧修甯状似无意的说着，轻笑。

“But His Majesty isn’t in the imperial study, he’s at Concubine Xian’s palace.” Mu Xiuning seem to have said it accidentally, as he faintly smiled.

凌萧身子一僵，滔天的怒火席卷上身，让他全身颤抖的不能自己，脑中那根名为理智的弦，彻底崩断。

Ling Xiao’s body went rigid, an overflowing rage engulfed him and his body shuddered in spite of himself. The thread known as rationality within his mind thoroughly broke.

他赤红了双眼，默不作声的转了个方向，要朝贤妃的宫殿走去。

With his burning eyes, he silently turned to a certain direction and headed for Concubine Xian’s palace.

Mu Xiuning blocked him, “Where are you going? Mu Country’s King Consorts love to eat vinegar, this is already something everyone knows. For you, the Emperor blocked many official, do you know? And you are even trying to openly resist an imperial decree nowadays, have you thought about just how chancellors would take your shortcomings as a chance?”

“爱怎么说怎么说！”凌萧恨然道：“如今，若是我凌萧不能一个人得到皇上，那凌萧宁可死在皇上手里。”

“Alas, how to say, how to say!” Ling Xiao regretfully said, “If nowadays, I, Ling Xiao cannot monopolize His Majesty for myself, then Ling Xiao would prefer to just die in his hands.”

牧修甯一愣，这凌萧有多么怕死他就是没有见过，也曾听说过，可如今，他却这般决绝，哪还有一点的贪生怕死。

Mu Xiuning recoiled a bit, although he had never personally seen just how afraid of death Ling Xiao was, he had heard about it before. From the looks of how determined it is, how does he look like someone who feared death and clings to life?

“Don’t cause trouble for the Emperor.” Mu Xiuning told him, his eyes full of threats. Ling Xiao instinctually felt danger and he paused, this one pause allowed Mu Xiuning to pull him back to his original spot.

“崇儿可是会苦恼的。”牧修甯改变了对皇帝的称呼，凑近凌萧，阴沉沉的说道。

“Chong’er would be vexed.” Mu Xiuning changed his addressment of the Emperor and leaned closer to him, darkly saying.

突而的压迫让凌萧背后一凉，，面前的牧修甯明明一副温和的表情，却莫名的让凌萧感觉到了危机，他后退了一步，与牧修甯拉开了距离。

The sudden oppressive feeling caused Ling Xiao’s back to feel chilled. Although the man before him clearly wore a gentle expression, he made Ling Xiao feel a crisis and he retreated, putting some distance between them.

牧修甯见状，轻笑了一声：“你反应倒快。”

Mu Xiuning laughed at his reaction, “Your reaction is pretty fast.”

说着，他往前踏了一步，却倏然在脚下踩到了一样硬物，他微愣，低头看去，是一块晶莹透亮的玉。

He then walked over again, but suddenly stepped on something hard. He paused and looked down, it was a block of bright jade.

牧修甯微怔，低头将玉捡起，入手的玉带着细腻的手感，令牧修甯一僵，面上浮现了怀念的神色。

Mu Xiuxing stared blankly for a moment, then bent down and picked it up. What he felt first was the fine feeling of the jade, shocking him a bit before a reminiscing expression floated up on his face.

凌萧眨眼，以为自己看错了。

Ling Xiao blinked, he felt as if he saw wrongly.

牧修甯抚摸着这块玉佩，轻声道：“怎么在你身上。”

Mu Xiuning gently stroked this jade pendant and quietly asked, “Why is it on you?”

他似是自言自语，凌萧抿唇回道：“皇上将它给了我，不在我身上难道该在你身上么。”

He seem to be talking to himself and Ling Xiao replied through pursed lips, “The Emperor gave it to me, if it’s not on me, then should it be on you?”

凌萧冷嘲，伸手去抢那玉，却被牧修甯轻巧的躲过。

Ling Xiao coldly mocked him and tried to snatch the jade back, but was easily dodged by him.

凌萧不悦：“还给我！”

Ling Xiao was very displeased, “Give it back to me!”

那宛如重要之物被夺的急切，让牧修甯微微一震，不由开口问道：“这对你还重要？”

That look as if something important was taken away shook Mu Xiuning. He asked, “This is very important to you?”

“这又跟皇叔有什么关系。”凌萧热讽，趁牧修甯一个不注意，侧身一抢，将玉夺回了手中。

“And what does this have to do with Imperial Uncle?” Ling Xiao heatedly mocked and snatched it back when Mu Xiuning lost his attention for a moment, taking it back into his hands.

牧修甯望着凌萧小心翼翼捧着玉的情景，微微一愣，随即释然一笑。

Mu Xiuning look at Ling Xiao carefully clasping the jade and was a bit startled, then he made a relieved smile.

“罢了。”

“Forget it.”

他走到了一边的假石坐下道：“来，我跟你谈谈。”

He walked beside a fake rock and sat down, “Come here, let’s talk.”

“凌萧跟皇叔可没有……”

“Ling Xiao does not have anything to do with Imperial Uncle…”

凌萧的话还未说完，便被牧修甯打断道：“皇上去贤妃那只是商量如何遣散后宫。”

Ling Xiao had not finished speaking when Mu Xiuning interrupted him, “His Majesty went to Concubine Xian’s place to consult how to disperse the harem.”

“……”凌萧一怔，回头望向牧修甯。

“……” Ling Xiao froze then turned back to look at him.

牧修甯的面色坦然，不像说谎的模样，但皇帝这么快妥协，让凌萧有些诧异，他半信半疑的走近了牧修甯。

Mu Xiuning’s face was calm, it did not look like he was lying. But for the Emperor to compromise so quickly, it made Ling Xiao a bit flabbergasted. He approached him, half in doubt of his words.

“你说这话可有什么依据？”

“On what basis are you saying that on?”

“哈。”牧修甯像是听到什么好笑的话一般，大笑出声：“你爱信不信，本王为何要给你依据？”

“Ha.” Like he had heard something funny, he started to heartily laugh, “Whether you believe it or not is up to you, why should this King say otherwise?”

牧修甯知道这件事，本来可以不用告诉自己的，他突发好心说来，也只是想让自己早些知道情况罢了，要说依据什么，他根本没有必要骗自己。

Mu Xiuning knew that he did to tell him that, his sudden burst of kindness was just so he could know about the circumstances earlier. As for basis, he had no reason to lie to him.

凌萧意识到这个，不由恼得满脸羞红。

Once he became aware of that, his whole face turned red from anger.

自己当真是急了、傻了，才会问这么呆笨的问题。

He really was too urgent and stupid to ask such a dimwitted question.

凌萧两颊绯红，神情恼怒，那恨不得在地上钻一个洞将自己埋下去的模样，宛如一只仓鼠一般，令人莞尔。

With his red cheeks and angry appearance, wishing he could just make a hole and bury himself, he looked like a hamster, causing others to smile.

牧修甯随性一笑，这凌萧确实是崇儿喜欢的类型。

Mu Xiuning gave a laid-back smile, this Ling Xiao really was Chong’er’s type.

He saw Mu Xiuning once again assume a reminiscing appearance. Ling Xiao blinked and silently stared at him.

牧修甯缓了缓道：“是崇儿小时，我送予他的生辰礼物。”

Mu Xiuning slowly accounted it, “It was back when Chong’er was young, I gave it to him as a birthday present.”

“崇儿幼年丧母，是我一手带大的，他本很依赖我，可是……”

“Chong’er lost his mother when he was young and was raised by me, so he depended a lot on me. But…”

牧修甯说着，目光哀愁：“皇家的孩子哪能无忧的长大呢，他不找事，事也会找他，何况，崇儿本就是个志向远大的孩子。”

Mu Xiuning’s eyes turned sorrowful as he spoke, “Which royal child did not have to worry as they grew up? He might not go find problems but problems would find him. Plus, Chong’er was always an ambitious child.”

“……”突然跟自己说这些，凌萧不知这个皇叔想干什么，但却对皇帝的过往很感兴趣。

“……” Ling Xiao did not know what this Imperial Uncle was doing suddenly telling him all of these, but he was very interested in the Emperor’s past.

他不知不觉走到了牧修甯的旁边坐了下来，认真听着他所阐述的皇帝。

He unconsciously walked over and sat beside him, seriously listening to him talk about the Emperor.

原来，皇帝幼年也曾天真无邪，只不过，皇位的争夺，将他卷了进去，迫不得已，他成了别人眼中弑兄争权的凶煞。

So the Emperor was also naive once in his childhood. But since the title of Emperor was something they had to fight for and also dragged him in, he had no choice but to become a demon in other people’s eyes that killed his own older brother.

他有着远大的志向，他想让牧国成为第一强国，不仅是他这在位的一世，而是生生世世都将是强国。

He had a great ambition, he wanted Mu Country to become the strongest country, and not just for his generation, but for ages to come.

他愿意为此付出所有的努力，后宫也不过是衡量朝堂势力的工具，感情，在他面前不值一提。

He was willing to use all efforts for his ambition, the harem was also only one of the tools he used for power. Affection was nothing in front of him.

直到，他遇到了凌萧。

It was so until he met Ling Xiao.

牧修甯感慨一般，望向凌萧道：“我一直觉得你不适合崇儿，现在觉得……”

Mu Xiuning sighed with sorrow, and looked toward him, “I always felt that you do not suit Chong’er, but now…”

“怎样？”凌萧掀开眼皮去看牧修甯，那眼中的威胁显然易见。

“But?” Ling Xiao looked at him, the threat clear in his eyes.

牧修甯丝毫不把这宛如小兽般的威胁放在眼里，他轻笑道：“现在觉得果然如此。”

Mu Xiuning did not pay any attention to the threat that was on the level of a small animal and softly smiled, “I now feel it is so.”

“……”凌萧皱眉盯着牧修甯，恨不得上前来撕咬他一番，这张牙舞爪的模样让牧修甯很是新鲜，他不由多看了几眼。

“……” Ling Xiao frowned and stared at him, he hated how he couldn’t go up and tear him a good one. This kind of threatening appearance was quite refreshing for Mu Xiuning, he took a couple more looks at him.

凌萧龇牙咧嘴道：“你少在这里胡说！适不适合你说了不算。”

Ling Xiao showed his teeth, “Stop talking nonsense! Whether I suit him or not has nothing to do with you.”

牧修甯无奈的摇头道：“崇儿心里也是明白的，你并不适合。”

Mu Xiuning helplessly shook his head, “Chong’er himself also knows in his heart, you don’t suit him.”

“……”

“……”

凌萧咬牙，他说的话，这皇叔是当耳边风吗！

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, were the words he said just wind blowing by this Imperial Uncle’s ears?!

Ling Xiao frowned, he was just about to retort when Mu Xiuning said, “Chong’er’s ambition is to make our country the strongest, at that time, Shao Country could be easily obtained. But because of you letting the tiger out and gathering them, it caused such trouble. The harem is an important tool for his power, but he is dispersing it because of you.”

“你说你合适，你倒说说，除了让崇儿一步步的妥协，你可有帮他做他想完成的事情？”

“You said you are suitable, then tell me, besides making Chong’er compromise bit by bit, how can you help him?”

“……”凌萧沉默，仔细想了想，他真的如同皇叔所说，什么都没有帮到皇帝，他不服气一般，在脑中搜寻着可能出现的情节，去徒劳无功。

“……” Ling Xiao fell silent and carefully thought about it, he really was like Imperial Uncle said, he didn’t do anything to help. He refused to be convinced by it and searched through his mind for something, but he couldn’t find anything.

牧修甯简直，轻轻嗤笑了一声：“别想了，没有的事情怎么想都是想不出的。”

Mu Xiuning simply sneered, “Don’t think about it, things you don’t have, no matter how you think about it you won’t get it.”

凌萧咬牙：“我以前没有，不代表我今后不会有！”

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, “I may not before, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have any now!”

牧修甯挑眉，一副不信任的神情：“那我拭目以待。”

Mu Xiuning raised an eyebrow, a face of distrust as he said, “Then I will wait and see.”

凌萧冷哼了一声：“你说了这么多，怎么成功避开了这块玉？”

Ling Xiao coldly snorted, “You said so much, trying to avoid this jade?”

凌萧扬了扬手中的玉，看向牧修甯，牧修甯闻言敛眸，躲开了凌萧探究的目光。

Ling Xiao held the jade in his hand, then looked toward him who kept his eyes away and out of Ling Xiao’s probing gaze.

“我不明白你的意思。”

“I don’t understand.”

“这玉，在宫里的传闻可有意思了，这可是皇上曾亲自下令，不允许他人触碰的禁物，你说它是你送给皇上的，那怎么就惹到皇上了呢。”

“This jade has a very interesting rumor in the palace. This was once personally ordered by the Emperor to not allow anyone to touch it, you said you were the one that gave it to him, then how did you provoke him?”

牧修甯微微皱眉，似乎不想谈及此事，被凌萧盯得久了，他才轻叹道：“我本希望崇儿只是个逍遥王爷，好好生活，并不想他卷进皇位的争夺中。”

Mu Xiuning slightly frowned, he didn’t want to talk about it but was stared at by Ling Xiao for a while and he finally sighed, “I originally wished for Chong’er to be a free and unfettered prince, and live a good life. I didn’t want him to get into the fight for the title of Emperor.”

牧修甯说着，自嘲一笑：“自认为对他好的，站在了他的对立面，劝他放弃皇位，天真的以为只要他放弃了，不争了，就能好好的置身事外。”

While Mu Xiuning spoke, he mockingly laughed at himself, “I originally thought it was for his own good and stood on the opposite of him, persuading him to give up the title of Emperor. I naively believed that as long as he gave up on it and no longer fought for it, then he would be able to stay uninvolved.”

凌萧闻言惊得心下发凉：“皇上争夺皇位之时，你支持的不是皇上？”

Ling Xiao’s heart went cold from shock, “When His Majesty fought for the title, the one you supported wasn’t him?”

“那皇上不是孤军奋战？”凌萧难以想象，皇帝一个人是怎么走到今天这个地步的，当初又是如何的无助彷徨。

“Then doesn’t that mean His Majesty struggled without support?” Ling Xiao had a hard time imagining it, just how did the Emperor walk to today by himself, just what kind of helplessness he felt back then.

凌萧心揪的咬牙，恨不能回到过去陪在皇帝身边。

Ling Xiao’s heart was tight and he clenched his teeth, he hated how he couldn’t go to the past and accompany the Emperor.

“在这方面，我和你一样，我不是一个好长辈。”牧修甯说着，面上一片痛苦之色。

“In that aspect, I am like you. I was not a good role model.” Pain floated up on Mu Xiuning’s face.

“这是我最后悔的一件事。”牧修甯说着，哀愁了神色。

“This is the thing I regret the most.” Mu Xiuning continued to wear his sorrowful appearance as he said that.

“……”凌萧沉默。

“……” Ling Xiao fell silent.

牧修甯还活着，就证明是皇帝当初网开了一面，但即使他网开一面了，对这个带着他长大却不支持他做皇帝的亲人，却也是怨恨的。

For Mu Xiuning to still be alive meant the Emperor showed mercy, but even his mercy, was full of resentment toward this close relative of his that brought him up.

所以，皇帝才会把这块玉封印在仓库里，不许任何人触碰。

That was why the Emperor would seal this jade into the warehouse and not allow anyone to touch it.

凌萧轻叹，原来表面这么风光，这么强大的皇帝，也有这么不堪回首的过去。

Ling Xiao faintly sighed, so although the surface was so grand, even such a powerful Emperor had a past he couldn’t bear.

凌萧的心宛如被千万针刺穿，带着刻骨的疼痛，心底是对皇帝一丝一丝的疼惜。

Ling Xiao’s heart felt as if he was pricked by millions of needles, paining him and feeling pain for the Emperor.

皇帝从不说自己的事情，从不让他人知晓自己的过去，皇帝的痛皇帝的苦只会深埋在自己的心底。

The Emperor never talks about his matters, he never lets others know of his past. The pain and bitterness, the Emperor would bury it all within his own hearts.

而作为想成为他唯一的自己却从未听过皇帝吐露真心。

As he, who wanted to become his one and only had never heard the Emperor heartfelt words.

凌萧暗下了神色。

Ling Xiao’s expression darken.

“所以，你知道了吧，崇儿虽然疼你惜你，却从不会跟你说这些，你想做他的唯一，你认为够资格吗？”牧修甯轻笑的嘲讽。

“As such, you understand now right? Although Chong’er cherishes you, he never tells you of these things. You want to be his one and only, do you believe you have the qualifications?” Mu Xiuning’s faint smiled carried a trace of taunting.

“……”凌萧咬牙，难堪的撇开了头。

“……” Ling Xiao clenched his teeth and turned his head away with difficulty.

见此，牧修甯慵懒的起身：“该说的我也说了，你好好想想吧。”

Seeing the sight, Mu Xiuning languidly got up, “What needed to be said has all been said. Think about it.”

说完，他负手就要离开，凌萧仰头唤住了他。

After he said his piece, he held his hands behind his back, ready to leave, but Ling Xiao raised his head and called out to stop him.

“皇叔。”

“Imperial Uncle.”

牧修甯回头看向凌萧。

Mu Xiuning turned to look at him.

凌萧直视着牧修甯，目光闪烁间是牧修甯从未见过的清澈，宛如一汪清泉将人的心底照透，在这样的眸子面前，自己心底的一些秘密无处遁形。

Ling Xiao looked straight at him, his eyes were showing such clearness Mu Xiuning had never seen before, like he could see through to the depths of a man’s heart. Those kinds of eyes, the secrets in one’s heart were unable to hide from.

“皇叔说这些，无疑是想让凌萧知道自己的地位，想告诉凌萧，皇上对凌萧并未真的敞开心扉，想提醒凌萧，多为皇上考虑，不要总顾着自己舒坦。”

“Imperial Uncle, you said all of that to let Ling XIao know his own position. You want to tell Ling Xiao, that His Majesty may not have necessarily opened all of his heart and want to remind Ling Xiao, to think more for His Majesty. To not always think about oneself.”

牧修甯闻言轻笑，坦然道：“你这双眼睛倒看得通透，那么你该知道怎么做。”

Mu Xiuning started to smile and calmly said, “Since your eyes can see it all, then you should know what to do.”

牧修甯的话更为直白了，凌萧嗤笑着起身道：“凌萧知道，早就该让皇上把后宫遣了。”

Mu Xiuning’s words became even more blunt. Ling Xiao sneered and got up, “Ling Xiao knows, if Ling Xiao had known early, Ling Xiao would had gotten the Emperor to disperse the harem earlier.”

牧修甯闻言变了面色，望着凌萧不悦的抿唇。

Mu Xiuning’s face changed into one of displeasure at Ling Xiao’s words.

凌萧笑道：“每天朝堂应付官员已经够累了，回来后宫还要应付妃子，身子可受不住。”

Ling Xiao laughed out, “Dealing with the officials in the court every day is tiring enough, yet he still had to deal with concubines when he returned to the harem. The body cannot take it.”

“他的精力给我一个人就够了，而我将代替他所有妃子的作用，甚至比她们更有价值。”

“He can focus all of his energy on me, and I will take the place of all of his concubines, and be even more valuable than them.”

好大的口气！

Such arrogance!

牧修甯倒吸了一口冷气，面上尽是不信：“你还能平衡朝堂势力？”

Mu Xiuning sucked in a breath, his face full of disbelief, “You are able to balance the power in the court?”

“不。”凌萧摇头：“我的特长不是这个。”

“No.” Ling XIao shook his head, “My personal strength isn’t in that.”

牧修甯摇了摇头，也没有继续问凌萧要怎样比整个后宫有价值，只是嗤笑一般瞧着凌萧道：“我还是那句话，拭目以待。”

Mu Xiuning shook his head and did not continue to ask Ling Xiao how he was going to make up the value of the whole harem. He merely sneered, “I will say it again, I will wait and see.”

凌萧知道牧修甯心中的轻蔑，他也懒得与牧修甯争论，便大大方方做了个手势，请走了牧修甯。

Ling Xiao knew of the contempt in Mu Xiuning’s heart, he also did not feel like contending against him so he calmly made a gesture, asking him to leave.

“皇叔且回家看着吧。”

“Please go home and wait for it Imperial Uncle.”

“……”

“……”

牧修甯见凌萧这般信誓旦旦，那自信的模样宛如一只孔雀，争着开放他身后华丽的尾翅，着实令人新奇。

When Mu Xiuning saw how calm and assured Ling Xiao looked, it reminded him of a peacock that was spreading its tail feathers, truly fascinating.

他不由带了丝期待，扬了扬眉转身离开。

He couldn’t help but hold some anticipation as he raised an eyebrow, then turned and left.

在离开之前，他又回头跟凌萧说了一句。

Before he left, he had turned his head back and told Ling Xiao one other tibit.

“另外告诉你一个消息，丽妃率先让皇上遣送出宫了。”

“I will tell you another information, Concubine Li was first sent out of the palace by the Emperor.”

“……”

“……”

皇帝动作真够快的，凌萧撇嘴。

The Emperor really did things quickly. Ling Xiao curled his lips.

既然送出了宫，那丽妃就不会有什么危险，凌萧心底放下了一件事。

Since she was sent out of the palace, then Concubine Li shouldn’t be in any danger. Ling Xiao was able to lay down one worry.

全力想的都是怎么帮助皇帝，虽说要帮助，凌萧却也知道自己的份量。

He used every effort to think about how to help the Emperor, though he wanted to help, Ling XIao knew his own limits.

朝堂政事一概不懂，出谋划策也不定能比得上朝堂的官员。

He didn’t understand the politics in the court, his plans and ideas may not necessarily be better than the other officials.

他能依靠的只有他脑中的那些画纸。

The only thing he could rely on were the blueprints in his mind.

思及此，凌萧抿唇，转身回了屋。

Sinking into his thoughts, Ling Xiao pursed his lips, turned and returned to his room.

那之后，凌萧将自己关在房里，关了五六天。

After that day, Ling Xiao was shut in his room, for five to six days.

这五六天，皇帝也不曾过来，对凌萧的软禁命令，也不曾撤回。

These past five to six days, the Emperor did not come and did not recall the house arrest on Ling Xiao.

倒是兰蔚过来了一趟，见凌萧生龙活虎的又离开了。

But Lan Wei came over once and left again when he saw Ling Xiao was still lively.

直到这一天，兰蔚带来了一个消息。

Until this day, Lan Wei brought a piece of news with him

皇帝真的遣散了后宫。

The Emperor really dispersed the harem.

凌萧得知这个消息，却并没有显得多开心。

When Ling Xiao found out about the news, he did not feel all that happy.

皇帝不曾过来见他，不曾与他商量，甚至不曾将他软禁的命令撤回，便遣散了后宫。

The Emperor did not come over to see him, did not come to talk to him about it, he didn’t even recall the house arrest on him and just plainly dispersed the harem.

凌萧真不知皇帝怎么想的，却在心底猜测，皇帝这般是不是为了将他摘出来。

Ling Xiao really did not know what was the Emperor thinking about, but he wondered if the Emperor was trying to pluck him out like this.

让遣散后宫与自己不扯上关系，这样，朝堂中即使有反对的声音也不会反对到自己的身上来……

He wanted the dispersal of the harem to not be connected to him, so that even if there are people against it in the court, it would not drag him in…

“你不开心么？这不正是你要的么？”兰蔚见凌萧阴沉着面色，凑近了他问道。

“Are you not happy? Isn’t this what you wanted?” Lan Wei saw his gloomy face and went closer to him, asking.

凌萧轻皱着眉头，叹气道：“皇上……用什么借口遣散的后宫。”

Ling Xiao faintly frowned and sighed, “His Majesty…what kind of excuse did he use to disperse the harem?”

“先皇托梦，斋戒不可近女色。”

“He dreamed of the late Emperor, who said he cannot be near women.”

“……”果然，这样后宫中的妃子都遣散了，但他是一个男妃，便可保留。

“……” As expected of such a reason, the concubines in the harem were all dispersed but he, a male concubine was still left behind.

“凌萧，我没有想到，他真的会为了你遣散后宫。”兰蔚突而复杂的望着凌萧。

“Ling Xiao, I have never thought that he would really disperse the harem for you.” Lan Wei used a complicated gaze to look at him.

“皇上的志向是强国，可他为了你……”

“The Emperor’s ambition is to strengthen our country, but for you…”

兰蔚苦笑一声：“他对你果真用情至深。”

Lan Wei forced a smile, “His feelings really run deeply for you.”

“我知道。”凌萧答得理所当然，面上带了丝被宠爱的自傲，嘚瑟的宛如受到主人庇护的小猫，高傲得令人恨得牙痒痒。

“I know.” Ling Xiao replied obviously, his face carrying pride from being loved. He was just like a kitten that had received shelter from its master, so proud that it made other people’s teeth itch.

又觉得可爱得令人恨不能将他往怀里揉上一番。

He also felt he was so adorable that he hated how he couldn’t just hug and rub his head.

兰蔚瞥开视线，躲开了凌萧。

Lan Wei looked away, evading Ling Xiao.

他不管哪一方面都输了，皇帝才是凌萧最好的选择。

He did not care which side lost it all, the Emperor was Ling Xiao’s best choice.

兰蔚抿唇，突而带了些释然的微笑。

Lan Wei pursed his lips, then made a relieved smile.

“我想，今后我不会再来了。”

“I think, I will not come again in the future.”

凌萧抬眼看他：“我可没有叫你做这梁上君子。”

Ling Xiao raised his eyes to look at him, “I did not ask for you to be a gentleman on the roof.”

TL Note: Thief

兰蔚知道凌萧不明白他的意思，他无奈的笑了笑：“好好对皇上，各自珍重。”

Lan Wei knew that Ling Xiao did not understand what he meant and he helplessly smiled, “Treat the Emperor well, take care of each other.”

Ling Xiao scratched his head, a bit unused to it. He wanted to see if he could get Lan Wei back to calling him Ling Xiao, but what he saw was Lan Wei leaving the window before he could get anything out.

凌萧撇了撇嘴，倒也没有多在意什么。

Ling Xiao curled his lips, but did not care too much.

他的图纸快画完了，这些都是他在现代看到的一些手工机械图纸，凭着记忆画出来的。

His blueprints were almost done, these were all some of the manual machine blueprints he had seen before in the modern age and drew them based on memory.

虽然保证不了百分之百的正确，但是百分之八九十是没错的，他的记忆力向来不错。

Although he couldn’t guarantee it was one hundred percent correct, around eighty to ninety percent was enough. His memory has always been pretty good

画出来交给工部的人，只要他们稍加研究，凌萧相信制作出来不会太难。

After he drew them, he could give them to the Ministry of Works people. As long as they researched a bit, Ling Xiao believed that it wouldn’t be too hard for them to make them.

又埋头画了两天，此时凌萧的画纸已经画好了，可是皇帝仍然不见踪影。

He immersed himself into drawing for another two days, by now, Ling Xiao was already done drawing. But the Emperor was still gone without a trace.

凌萧知道，有可能是遣散后宫他需要回避风头，所以皇帝才不来见他。

Ling Xiao knew that it was possible that disbanding the harem needed some backdealings, so the Emperor did not come to see him.

但他更愿意相信，皇帝还在气恼于他。

But he was even more willing to believe that the Emperor was still angry at him.

凌萧自知自己理亏，又耐着性子等了两天，然而，皇帝还是不见踪影。

Ling Xiao knew he was in the wrong, so he patiently waited another two days. However, the Emperor was still gone without a trace.

就好像将凌萧这个人遗忘了一般。

Like he had forgotten Ling Xiao.

凌萧气得磨牙，恨不能跑到皇帝面前狠狠的咬他几口，此时，却还是乖乖的呆在了房里。

Ling Xiao was so angry he started to grind his teeth. He hated how he couldn’t run to him and bite him a few times, but for now, he still obediently stayed in the room.

“暗香，你去把皇帝叫过来，若是他不来，你就说，我快要死了。”

“An Xiang, call over the Emperor. If he doesn’t come, then tell him I’m about to die.”

“……”暗香望着凌萧磨牙的模样苦笑不得：“公子，你安分点吧，主子想来的时候自然会来，您这样骗他，等会他又要生气了。”

“……” An Xiang looked at Ling Xiao’s gritting his teeth and forced a smile, “Young Master, please wait patiently. When it’s time, Master will naturally come. If you lie to him like that, he will get angry.”

“谁跟你说我要骗他？”凌萧望着暗香灿烂一笑，从衣袖中掏出了一把匕首抵在了自己的脖颈处，危险得望着暗香道：“我可不是说着玩的。”

“Who said I was going to lie to him?” Ling Xiao smiled at An Xiang and took out a dagger from his sleeve, pressing it against his neck, threatening her, “I am not playing around.”

“公子！”暗香大惊，想要上前来夺取匕首，被凌萧眼神一瞪，瞪回了原地。

“Young Master!” An Xiang was greatly alarmed and went forward, wanting to take back the dagger, but was glared at by Ling Xiao and went back to her original spot.

“公子，您……”

“Young Master, you…”

“去！”凌萧打断了暗香。

“Go!” Ling Xiao interrupted her.

暗香咬唇，跺了跺脚跑了出去。

An Xiang bit her lip, stamped her feet then ran out.

不久，便见皇帝带着一大群太监急匆匆的赶来。

Soon after, he saw the Emperor rush over with a group of eunuchs.

而凌萧笑颜嫣然的面对着皇帝。

Ling Xiao smiled beautifully as he faced the Emperor.

皇帝望了望似是等待他已久的凌萧，又望了望已久自觉得跪在地上请罪的暗香，危险的眯眼：“你敢骗朕！”

The Emperor looked at Ling Xiao who appears to have been waiting for him for a while, then turned his sight onto An Xiang, who had already knelt and dangerously narrowed his eyes, “You are to lie to Us!”

凌萧微笑着上前，丝毫不顾皇帝散发出的低压，轻叹道：“凌萧可不敢欺瞒皇上，您若不来，凌萧真的会死。”

Ling Xiao faintly smiled and walked forward, not bothering with the low pressure the Emperor was emitting and sighed, “Ling Xiao does not dare to lie to Your Majesty. If you didn’t come, Ling Xiao will really die.”

“会思念致死，会心痛致死。”这两句话，凌萧故意凑近皇帝低声耳语。

“I will die from longing, I will die from heartbreak.” Ling Xiao directly whispered those words in the Emperor’s ear.

缠绵的话带了上翘的尾音，吐息着温热的气息，直勾出皇帝隐藏在心底深处的渴望。

His touching words carried a bit of a drag, breathing out warm air that drew out the thirst in the Emperor.

凌萧轻轻一笑，勾人的眉目上扬出一个好看的弧度，满满的映在了皇帝的眼中，占满了皇帝的眼眶。

Ling Xiao softly smiled, a beautiful curve making its way onto his seductive face that shone into the Emperor’s eyes and filled it.

“你在勾引朕？”皇帝捏着凌萧的下巴，清冷的问。

“Are you seducing Us?” The Emperor held Ling Xiao’s chin and coldly asked.

这话，皇帝没有对凌萧少说，无论是当初跳舞的时候，还是之后被逗弄得失神的时候，凌萧都是一副眉目含情，羞涩难忍的模样。

The Emperor did not hold back his words as he spoke to Ling Xiao, no matter if it was the dance back then, or afterward he lost awareness from being teased, Ling Xiao always wore a shy and embarrassed appearance.

可此时，他坦然的面对着皇帝，面上即使绯红，却丝毫的不退怯。

But right now, he calmly confronted the Emperor, even if his face was crimson, he showed no sign of retreating in fear.

“那皇上受不受凌萧的勾引？”

“Then Your Majesty won’t accept Ling Xiao’s seduction?”

凌萧说着，眉目辗转间，目光在皇帝的身上过了几个来回，带着明显的求欢之意。

While Ling Xiao spoke, his gaze wandered around on the Emperor’s body, obviously inviting him.

如此大胆的行径，让皇帝新奇，同时又受到蛊惑一般，手不受控制的揽紧了他的腰，目光逐渐暗沉。

Such a brazen behavior fascinated him and bewitched him, his hand went to monopolize his waist tightly as his gaze gradually darken.

他挥手挥退了众人，带着凌萧来到床边，疯狂的吻带着许久未见的眷念席卷了凌萧，凌萧轻吟着，手环上了皇帝的脖颈。

He waved his hand to have everyone else leave then led Ling Xiao to the bed, his frantic kiss carried his longing feelings that engulfed Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao softly cried out and his hand glided up to the Emperor’s neck.

“嗯……啊……皇……皇上……”

“Mhnn… Ahhh… Your…Your Majesty…”

凌萧轻哼，蹭着皇帝的肌肤，着迷的亲吻着他的胸膛，仿佛对待珍宝一般轻触着皇帝的肌理。

Ling Xiao softly moaned, rubbing against the Emperor’s skin as he kissed his chest, enchanted, lightly touching his skin like he was a treasure.

皇帝一顿，凌萧反身一压，将皇帝压在了自己的身下。

The Emperor paused and Ling Xiao reversed their positions so that he was the one pressing the Emperor down.

皇帝一愣，皱眉，微微挣扎，似是不喜这个姿势。

The Emperor stared blankly, then frowned, starting to struggle as he did not like this posture.

凌萧跨坐在皇帝的腰间，阻止了皇帝的乱动，甜笑道：“不，皇上，不要动。”

Ling Xiao sat down at the Emperor’s waist, stopping him from moving about as he sweetly smiled, “No, Your Majesty, don’t move.”

说着，他俯身，伸出赤红的舌尖tian了tian那冒汗的胸膛，微咸的汗水伴随着男子的阳刚之气侵蚀着凌萧的味蕾。

He leaned over, extending his red tongue and licked that sweating chest, the slightly salty sweat along with the man’s masculine scent took over Ling Xiao’s taste bud.

凌萧轻哼了一声，第一次发觉，同为男人，皇帝的胸膛却是如此的美味。

Ling Xiao softly moaned and noticed for the first time, that they were both men, but the Emperor’s chest was really delicious.

他似是不知餍足一般，一次又一次的亲吻，徐徐往上，最后来到皇帝的嘴边，与他纠缠起舞。

It was like he could never be satisfied as he landed kiss after kiss, slowly moving up until he was finally by the Emperor’s mouth and tangled with him.

吻得入迷，凌萧的身子酥软了下来，皇帝一把揽住他，就要将他压在身下，凌萧艰难的保持着清醒，推搡开皇帝道：“皇上……这一次，让凌萧伺候您……”

The kiss enchanted him, Ling Xiao’s body weaken and the Emperor held him, then pressed him down. Ling Xiao tried to keep a clear-head despite of it and shoved the Emperor, “Your Majesty….this time, let Ling Xiao serve you…”

他撑着虚软的身子，骑在皇帝的身上，用身下那伤刚好的位置磨蹭着皇帝傲人的存在。

He supported his soft body, riding on the Emperor’s body as the place that was just healed lightly rubbed against the Emperor’s impressive package.

直到皇帝隐忍出声，他才解脱一般，放任那物进入，而后舒爽的叹息。

Until the Emperor finally made a sound of release did he also release. He indulged in it and sighed in pleasure.

The sweat on his forehead wetted Ling Xiao’s hair. Like he had completed something of great importance, he went limp onto the Emperor’s body and softly called out, “Your Majesty, since you are now Ling Xiao’s man, helped Ling Xiao disperse the harem, then Ling Xiao will use this as an exchange.”

不知何时，凌萧的手中多了一个铁盒，这个盒子像是早已准备好了的一样，上头还系着红丝绸。

He didn’t notice when, but there was an extra iron box in Ling Xiao’s hand. This box seemed to have been prepared long ago, there was even a red silk cloth on it.

皇帝伸手接过，带了一丝好奇的打开，里面是一层一层的图纸。

The Emperor reached out and took it, curiously opening it. Inside, were layers and layers of blueprints.

只一眼，皇帝便明白这图纸的价值，他微微挑眉望向凌萧，漫不经心的道：“这可算大礼了。”

With only a glance, the Emperor knew of the value of the blueprint. He raised an eyebrow at Ling Xiao, very heedlessly telling him, “This is considered great merit.”

“比起皇上您的后宫呢。”

“Compared to Your Majesty’s harem.”

“有过之而无不及。”皇帝回道。

“Far more than it.” The Emperor replied.

凌萧微笑：“那就好，凌萧也算是帮着您了，您放心，明日您收回凌萧的禁令，凌萧便去工部与他们一起，把纸上的东西变成真的。”

Ling Xiao smiled, “That’s good, Ling Xiao has helped you know. Don’t worry, after you take back the prohibition on Ling Xiao tomorrow, Ling Xiao will go to the Ministry of Works and make the things on the paper into reality.”

“一下子……怎么变得这般贴心了？”皇帝扶着凌萧坐起，让凌萧的双腿盘在他的腰间，让两人契合的更为紧密。

“How did you…became so intimate all of a sudden?” The Emperor helped Ling Xiao sit up, his legs wrapped around his waist, allowing the two to become even closer.

The Emperor softly laugh at what he heard, observing Ling Xiao’s current appearance.

宛如八爪鱼一般，死死的粘在自己的身上，面色绯红，眼神迷离，腰间微动，兀自沉迷于床笫之事，倒让皇帝觉得自己不称职了一般。

Like an octopus, he firmly stuck to him with his crimson face and blurred eyes. His waist was vaguely moving and still engrossed in their current sexual experience, it made the Emperor feel like he was not doing his part.

意识到此，皇帝不再多想，抱着凌萧滚进了里床。

Once he became aware of that, the Emperor did not give it anymore thought and carried Ling Xiao to roll with him in bed.

完

The End

番外牧修甯的担忧

Extra Perspective: Mu Xiuning’s worry

五年后，牧国越加强大。

Five years later, Mu Country became even stronger.

工部联合凌萧制造出的投石机、大炮等等这个世界从未见过的东西，却在军队上用途甚广。

The Ministry of Works and Ling Xiao worked together and made boulder throwing machines, cannons and other things that this world had never seen before. These things spread throughout the army and were greatly used.

牧国依靠这些武器，百年之内绝无敌手。

Mu Country could be completely unequal within a hundred years by using these weapons.

凌萧实现了他的承诺，价值堪比整个后宫。

Ling Xiao had achieved his promise, and his value was comparably to the entire harem.

Ling Xiao languidly lied on the couch, enjoying the sun. When he heard her, his cozy face turned bitter.

他与皇帝在一起五年了，三年前，在自己完成了大炮的研制之后，皇帝升自己为了君后，从此正式和皇帝平起平坐，即使是上朝，也与皇帝同坐龙椅。

The Emperor and him had been together for five years. Three years ago, after he had completed the manufacture of the cannon, the Emperor had rose his rank to Lord Empress, from then on, the Emperor and him were official on equal footing. Even in the assembly, the Emperor and him would also sit together on the imperial throne.

这五年来，牧国风调雨顺，他所研究的东西也一件件的变成实物，牧国远远领先于其他王朝。

In these five years, Mu Country had good weather for crops, the things he researched were also slowly turning into food related objects one by one. Mu Country was now far in the lead compared to other dynasties.

但舒适日子过久了，总有人喜欢来讨嫌。

But once the cozy days have passed for a while, there would always be someone who liked to be a pain in the neck.

这其中最勤快的莫过于这潇王牧修甯了。

The most diligent one of these that no one could surpass was this King Xiao, Mu Xiu Ning.

TL Note: Xiao for deep and clear water, or howling and pounding of wind and rain. It’s a title

五年前，皇帝用斋戒，一辈子不能近女色的借口将后宫遣散了，如今，这厮竟然还跑来说皇帝一定要有孩子。

Five years ago, the Emperor worked fast and used the excuse that he cannot be near women for the rest of his life and disbanded the harem. Nowadays, guy was still running to the Emperor to tell him he must have a child.

他一个男人，皇帝一个男人，怎么生！

He, a man, the Emperor, a man. How would they give birth to one?!

这不间接要皇帝重新纳妃么！

Wasn’t this indirectly telling the Emperor to once again accept concubines?!

且不说五年前的借口到现在还有效力，就是凌萧也不可能再让皇帝纳妃！

Leaving aside the excuse that was still effectiveness now five years later, Ling Xiao would never allow the Emperor to receive concubines!

可这牧修甯不敢在皇帝面前提及，却天天跑他这儿来闹，让凌萧烦不胜烦。

But this Mu Xiuning didn’t dare to mention it to the Emperor, so he would always run over to where Ling Xiao was at to disturb him, causing Ling Xiao to feel very vexed.

凌萧苦着脸，咬牙拒道：“不见，打发了！”

With a bitter face, Ling Xiao clenched his teeth and resisted, “Not seeing, make him leave!”

“君后……晚了……”小梅可怜兮兮的说着，而后便传来了一声带笑的声音。

“Lord Empress…it’s too late…” Xiao Mei miserably said and not long after that, a happy voice came through.

Ling Xiao looked at the fluttering civilian clothing-dressed Mu Xiuning and was so angered his teeth itched. He glared at Mu Xiuning and fakely said, “How could that be? Imperial Uncle, you are the Emperor’s only relative. Although you and the Emperor have oppose each other before, the Emperor is a person of great moral stature and does not remember the offenses of a low moral person. He gave you back your freedom to freely walk in the palace and a lot of other privileges, with that, Ling Xiao does not dare to ignore you.”

Ling Xiao deliberately jabbed at Mu Xiuning’s pain, whose face went stiff and his eyebrows twitched as his face revealed a smile that also wasn’t one, “What this King said before, had the Lord Empress thought about it? The Emperor would also want a child, but if you’re not willing for the Emperor to receive a concubine, then you can just find a woman to come and have her just to give birth to a child…”

“没门！”凌萧想也不想的打断了牧修甯道：“您想着找个女子来，还不如想想怎么让我的肚子大起来实在。”

“No way!” Ling Xiao did not even think and interrupted Mu Xiuning, “You want to find a woman to come, you’re better off thinking of a way to make my belly grow bigger.”

凌萧厚脸皮的指了指自己的肚子，牧修甯嘴角抽了抽：“您是男子，如何大得起来。”

Ling Xiao thick-skinnedly pointed at his belly and Mu Xiuning’s mouth twitched, “You are a male, how could your belly get bigger.”

“那我没办法了。”凌萧耸了耸肩。

“Then I have no other way.” Ling Xiao shrugged.

牧修甯僵硬了面色，凌萧趁他未回神，连忙扬声道：“小梅，皇叔累了，送他回去休息。”

Mu Xiuning’s face went rigid and Ling Xiao took the chance while his senses hadn’t come back to him to call out, “Xiao Mei, Imperial Uncle is tired, take him back to rest.”

“是。”小梅出现在了牧修甯的身前，牧修甯张了张嘴想要说什么，最终蠕动了下唇，重重的叹了口气，甩袖离开。

“Yes.” Xiao Mei appeared before Mu Xiuning, who opened his mouth, wanting to say something. But his lower lip only moved a bit before he finally sighed, and threw his sleeve, leaving.

凌萧重重的呼了一口气。

Ling Xiao heaved many sighs.

都说，“亲家公”“亲家母”难搞的，今日看见牧修甯，凌萧觉得这话对极了！

They all say, “father-in-law” and “mother-in-law” were difficult to deal with. Now that he has met Mu Xiuning, Ling Xiao felt that what they say was too right!

皇帝自己都没有急，他就急得跟个猴子似的。

The Emperor himself wasn’t pressed for time, yet he was so pressed he was like a monkey.

夜晚，皇帝从门外进来，见着凌萧一脸的不满，微微一顿，来到凌萧的身边问道：“怎么了？谁惹你不开心了？”

At night, the Emperor arrived from outside and when he saw Ling Xiao’s unhappy face, he paused then walked to him side and asked, “What’s wrong? Who made you unhappy?”

“……”凌萧沉默，皇帝虽然给了牧修甯诸多特权，但是他还是不喜提及牧修甯，所以虽然凌萧一直受到牧修甯的干扰，可从未在皇帝面前告过状。

“……” Ling Xiao was silent, although the Emperor gave Mu Xiuning many great privileges, he did not like him to be mentioned. So although Ling Xiao kept being disturbed by Mu Xiuning, he had never tattled on him in front of the Emperor.

而凌萧也猜测皇帝是知道的，只是不想理皇叔的事。

Ling Xiao guessed that the Emperor knows about it, he just doesn’t want to deal with Imperial Uncle.

可他真心忍无可忍了，牧修甯一有空就抓着他念，念得他耳朵都起茧子了。

But he was truly at the end of his patience, whenever Mu Xiuning had time, he would catch him and had him study. He studied so much even his ears were forming callus.

思及此，凌萧抿唇道：“皇上，我知你不喜提及皇叔，但他……总是……”

Ling Xiao pursed his lips while he considered it, “Your Majesty, I know you don’t like Imperial Uncle to be brought up, but he… always…”

皇帝一顿，心下明了凌萧的怨言，他轻轻一笑打断了凌萧的话道：“明日朕安排，安心吧。”

The Emperor stopped, he understood Ling Xiao’s complaint. With a slight smile, he interrupted Ling Xiao’s words: “We will arrange something tomorrow, so be at ease.”

“恩……”凌萧轻轻的应了一声，俯身在皇帝脸上印了一吻。

“Mhm…” Ling Xiao softly answered once and leaned over to give the Emperor a kiss on his face.

皇帝轻轻一颤，沙哑了声音道：“只是这里吗？这儿呢？”

The Emperor slightly shivered, with a hoarse voice he asked: “Only there? How about here?”

皇帝指了指唇，凌萧微微红了红脸颊，目光闪躲下，又嘟嘴快速的扫了一下皇帝的唇。

The Emperor pointed at his lips which caused Ling Xiao to slightly redden. With his gaze elsewhere, he gave the Emperor a fast peck on the lips.

皇帝不满的横了凌萧一眼，将人抓进怀里好一通热吻。

The Emperor gave Ling Xiao a discontented glance, then went forward and pulled him into a hot kiss.

………………

那一夜之后，皇叔果然没有再来烦凌萧了。

After that night, Imperial Uncle really did not come to bother Ling Xiao anymore.

过后，不久，听闻皇帝给牧修甯赐婚了，赐婚还加了一个条件，让牧修甯一年之内生出一个儿子来。

Not long after that event, he heard that the Emperor arranged a marriage for Mu Xiuning, the marriage had one condition on it: Mu Xiuning must have a son within one year.

Hello~! This is my first time commenting, anyway, if I may ask, does the title mean that Ling Xiao’s harem will end? As in, he chooses one among them, that they either die or they don’t love him anymore?

What does that means???
Everyone become his toyboy? XD
The Emperor has awakened his lust for more chrysanthemum??
Prince Fu Jun unexpectedly discover his talent as a neko?????
Ling Xiao became the Empress??
Bondage? *This is random*

Wait, so the first NSFW chappy is ch 54?! ??? that’s a LONG wait! But truly, thank you for translating so efficiently Snow-sama! ??? I love your translation! Keep up the good work and indulge us stalk…ahem…readers! ???

Because i cant stop clicking your page and searching this cannon fodder themed novel that just awakened my fujoshi sides that almost died down two years ago? Take responsibility snowy, and translate this gold to finish, this is my second most favorite bl novel of all time after wear the face of the devil. And i thank you for the translation.

The funny thing about it is that, as I read about the Imperial Uncle’s fluttering and squawking around the Lord Empress – I thought that the Mu Emperor would force him to provide a son…. I was right, hahahaha!!!!!! Snowy-sama, please post soon!!!!! Happy Holidays!!!! Have a great time – but please post soon!!!!!!

The Emperor is just putty in Ling Xiao’s hands now..which is fine by me. (*´∀`*)
I can’t wait for the full chapter so I can indulge myself with these sweet chapters. Totally loving the devotion they make for each other. MAKE BABIES FOR US (ง •̀ω•́)ง✧

I…. I have been camping… But then i got bored coz none of the fics i follow has updated yet/i am not in the mood to read those that have soo… Ehehe i did not expect that there will be translated pieces ? i was in for a surprise wwwwwwwow i dun wanna read yet tho lmao just gonna keep them open along with 69 ? let me live ? (i love u lol i just realized i also follow ramlrw & eldb here)

This wonderful story is almost done. Many happy wishes to this couple <3 gonna wait for your update with bated breath. Thanks Snowy <3 Imma just check what BL you're gonna focus on translating next~ when this is finished since snowy trans is awesome trans team~ <3 advance congrats on finishing this one~ imma go back and reread the edited chapters~ <3

Omg i was so shocked when I cant find the next chap button.. and then I realised that this heart throbbing novel is already ending ???? why does all good story must end?? thank u snow sama for translating this story for us? My only problem for this story is that until the end the emperor wont allow LX to call him by his real name but thats something that can be over look… again thanks snowy sama

Still, this was so cruel! ?
I found this story a few days ago and was super excited today when I saw that all of the chapters had been done…
Please finish it? Pretty please? Pretty please with a cherry on top? ???

??? its already this long tho??? & still has 29pgs left in between?? like??? author got lazy & didnt break into separate chapters anymore just want to finish the story?? kind of vibes wwwwwwwwww more power to you snowy we camp here even if it takes forever ? i am still looking forward to ur trans of ur otp so u can expect me to camp here for a long long time

Thanks Snowy for this wonderful but odd translation journey…you translate like no other (seriously, the fact the next button actually works (even without chapters) is an incredible feat itself)
Our unhealthy one-sided relationship has come to end with this….hahaha just kidding I’ll be always here lurking in the shadows of your horde of stalkers.
THANK YOU, ILY!!!

lol, people going through random journeys on my next buttons XD
Tho it’s me being lazy about making them for later so I make a lot in one go…. then I find them too empty and start adding stuff ?? I’m already at new holes digging with some finding their way there

Yayyyyyyyyy, thank you snowy!! I’ve had the most fun reading this. The story was great and the ending even better.
I will miss your troll-like trap ‘Next Chapter’ buttons ( …okay, I won’t) but I love you!!
σ(≧ε≦σ) ♡

I cannot thank you enough for your commitment to dutifully translating this novel for us to read! I’ve enjoyed it till end! (except that part where the emperor literally tried to murder Ling Xiao) Other than that, I loved it!

I am so!!! glad that I stumbled on this story yesterday…I have been reading it non-stop. I love it…it feels so refreshing and has a happy end.
I really appreciate that you translated and shared it with us here!

Read all of this in 4 days. I wonder how long it took our dear translator to finish this novel..
It reminds me of cooks. You make a meal in 2, 3, 4 or more hours, just for it to be eaten in 30 minutes lol
Thank you, translator ❤

Hello! I remember first coming here and reading the translation of LMW mahua chapters and that being the only thing on here and now im back a year or two later a d reading this great work! Thank you so much! Youve worked really hard and it was well worth it. Honestly one of the best things ive read in a while. 😘 I’ll be following your work more closely! Thank you!

I stumbled upon this recently, I was a little incredulous. BUT once I start reading it I am attracted. Thank you very much for translating and sharing it. I loved everything, the characters, the plot, the essence with which the author describes the sex scenes. IN END, Thank you.

I’m shock when I suddenly read the words “The end” . Like it feels so abrupt? Then thankfully there was more about the Imperial Uncle worries.. which I really predicted why can’t he think of himself as the one who should just make a family? Then later ,hahaa , Poor Uncle was forced !!! , Overall…my heart feel so heavy about Lan Wei and Fu Yujun….. especially to that prince…..who lost everything and left heart broken…… . while Lan Wei is still more lucky than him…… To the Emperor and Ling Xiao…..I’m so glad their relationship moods improved… it’s just I feel like the I want more extra’s after the ending…….ahhhh…….. sigh* Thanks for the hard work and translations !

Am i the only one thinking that Ling Xiao underwent personality change after the Shou Kingdom arc? I almost described him as woman in many occasions (its not about the bedroom scene, but how he acts everyday).

Anyway the plot development is great, but by the end of it i kinda thought that this kind of story development is better for hetero couple